Discover Sava: Castle, Sanctuary and Olive Oil

Sava between Castle, Sanctuary and Olive Oil

Sava is a destination for travelers who want to discover history in several forms. The town's diverse attractions include a castle, a sanctuary, a Franciscan complex, an olive oil museum and the Corteo Storico, held every year in June.

Buildings with a History of Their Own

Sava Castle was built at the end of the 16th century from local tuff and replaced an old masseria. The 16th-century Palazzo Baronale is considered one of Sava's main attractions. The Franciscan complex of Sava includes a church. Together, these buildings provide the town with several historical points of reference: they range from the construction of a single building and the Palazzo Baronale to a complex with a sacred component.

The Santuario della Madonna di Pasano

The Santuario della Madonna di Pasano was built in 1712 through the reconstruction of an old Byzantine sanctuary. The Santuario della Madonna di Pasano houses an icon of the Virgin Hodegetria with the Child. Visitors can also see a heavy monolith believed to be the legendary stone of the miracle. For visitors interested in religious traditions, this combination of architectural history, an icon and a legendary account of a miracle offers an accessible way to engage with Sava.

Olive Oil as a Local Focus

The Museo dell'Olio di Sava is located in a partly underground olive mill in the Palazzo Comunale on Piazza S. Giovanni. You can taste and buy local olive oil on site. Anyone who wants to both taste and shop locally can plan the Museo dell'Olio di Sava as a set stop for both activities. Alongside the historic buildings, this places a tangible connection to the local olive oil tradition at the center. For travelers who want to include local products among their cultural interests, the museum is an obvious focus.

June and a Day-Trip Destination outside Sava

The Corteo Storico of Sava takes place every year in June. Anyone who wants to include the Corteo Storico in their itinerary can plan their visit to Sava specifically for June. It reenacts the procession of the people of Sava on the occasion of the baptism of an enslaved man and passes through the key stages of the town's history. For travelers who want to visit Sava in June, this date is therefore a specific cultural point of reference. Outside Sava, the wall of the Limitone dei Greci is also considered a worthwhile day-trip destination.

When choosing accommodation in Sava, you can therefore put your own priorities first: buildings, religious traditions, town history or the local olive oil tradition. This makes the town suitable for a range of cultural interests without presupposing any particular type of trip.

More Destinations

Other destinations for your travel planning include: San Marzano di San Giuseppe, Massafra, Talsano, Crispiano, Torricella, San Giorgio Ionico, Monteiasi and Specchiarica.

For the broader travel overview: Taranto.